So Fresh and So Clean

I thought that today I would do a little break down of my cleaning habits.  Not to be confused with the big clean that happens seasonally.  I have a little bit of OCD and am obsessive about keeping a clean house, despite the efforts of my four darling children. 

My daily 10 second tidy goes a little something like this:

• wiping down the kitchen counters and stovetop
• loading, running, and unloading the dishwasher
• sorting the mail (paying bills & shredding junk mail as I can't stand piles of paper)
• wiping down the sinks in the bathrooms (yes with 4 children this needs to be done daily)
• taking out the garbage

 These little efforts help me to sleep easier and take about 20 minutes total; not to mention they go a long way towards making the house feel nice and clean. 

Then there are a few things I like have to do a couple times of week:

• vacuum the bedrooms and area rugs (my house is very high traffic)
• laundry

When it comes to wiping things down, things like the counters and stovetop, I l-o-v-e method all purpose cleaner.  The smell of the pink grapefruit is ah-mazing and the fact that it's a green product, so it's non-toxic and contains biodegradable ingredients.. fabulous!!  In fact I only use method cleaning products as I can't stand the harsh chemical stench that the majority of the cleaning products give off.  So that's the cleaning schedule that works for me.

xo - Shana

PS. method did not gift me any of their wonderful products, they don't even know I exist.



Fridaylicious

I am having a love affair; Chocolae Dipped Coconut Macaroons - so wickedly good and insanely addicting.  Every bite is an explosion of rich buttery chocolate coconut goodness, I smile just thinking about them.  Now don't get me wrong these cookies don't need to be dipped in chocolate they are delicious as is, I just personally prefer a little chocolate.  Besides as someone I'm sure is quoted as saying "chocolate makes everything better".  When you factor in how ridiculously good; oh did I mention how easy these are to make... I am truly baffled as to why it took me so long to discover how ah-mazing these are! 

Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons
Makes abut: 3 dozen cookies

For the cookies:
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 large egg white
1½ teaspoons vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
3½ cups sweetened flaked coconut

For the chocolate dipping:
10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

2. In a large bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, egg white, vanilla and salt until combined. Stir in the coconut until well blended.

3. Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheets. Form the cookies into loose haystacks with your fingertips, moistening your hands with water as necessary to prevent sticking.

4. Bake, one sheet at a time, until the cookies are light golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

5. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets until slightly set, about 2 minutes; remove to a wire rack with a wide metal spatula.

6. Once the cookies are cooled to room temperature (about 30 minutes), line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

7. Melt 8 ounces of the semi-sweet chocolate in a small heatproof bowl set over a pan of almost-simmering water, stirring once or twice, until smooth. Remove from the heat; stir in the remaining 2 ounces chocolate until smooth.

8. Holding a macaroon by its pointed top, dip the bottom a ½ inch up the sides in the chocolate; scrape off the excess chocolate and place the macaroon on a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining macaroons.

9. Refrigerate the macaroons until the chocolate sets, about 15 minutes.

xo - Shana

It's Time for a Vacation

So after listening to the most depressing weather forecast, another 5" of snow is expected tonight, I have had enough.  I have begged and pleaded with Mother Nature and I've got some stern words for a certain ground-hog too.  So in an effort to try and salvage my sanity I have booked two vacations.  If only one of these vacations was for tomorrow, lol. 

Vacation number one which is Memorial Day weekend and adults only (Momma needs a vacation) will find me here:

 Well maybe not in this exact spot, but pretty darn close  :)

 Definitely laying on a beach side bed being served food and drinks though.

While my afternoon siestas will be right here.

Vacation number two this July will be the family vacation.  We had been making an annual pilgrimage to the Outer Banks, however this year we decided to skip the 10-14 hours in a car with 4 small children.  Instead this summer we will be traveling 3 1/2 hours to live it up here:

How FAB-U-LOUS?!

There is something about lighthouses that I adore.

My youngest has already told me he is hoping to see this.

xo - Shana



PS. In case you couldn't tell by the pictures, I will be in the Dominican Republic and Cape Cod this summer.

Zebra-riffic Birthday Party

This past Saturday was my daughters 12th birthday.  What better way to celebrate ones birthday than with a sleep over party that includes your 9 closest friends?  I mean honestly does it get any better then that?  Well throw in some zebra print and you have got the recipe for a wildly successful party (pun intended). 

The bar was draped with zebra fabric which had shimmery threads and became the perfect spot for snacking

 

The two pictures framing the entertainment center were covered with zebra wrapping paper, as was the hurricane.  I thought the two lamps worked well as the design on the shade was small but still provided interest and movement.  The streamers also were zebra print.

How ah-mazing it that cake?!  It was SO delicious too!

Since they say the devil is in the details, I also got zebra napkins and plates, both from Marshalls.

The girls had a blast dipping the marshmallows and fruit into chocolate, and the pinwheels were a huge hit as skewers.

I'm still not certain why it's called a sleep over party as there wasn't any sleeping at my house this past Saturday.

xo - Shana

What I'm loving

Lilly Pulitzer in the bathroom... enough said.

I l-o-v-e how fresh and fabulous it makes the bathroom look.

xo -Shana

Green Rooms

In honor of St. Patricks Day I have decided to post a few green rooms that are simply put, STUNNING.  On a day when everyone is Irish egardless of your heritage and green is THE color.  The fresh palettes seen below vary in shade but are SO well executed.  Don't you agree?


Image via sproost.com

Image via housebeautiful.com



Image via alspics.com




Image via bibelot-bb.blogspot.com

Image via countryliving.com

Image via tobifairley.com

Image via awelldressedhome.com





"For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day."
~Author Unknown

xo - Shana

Hanging Plates as Wall Decor



Image courtesy of  http://www.care2.com/

Image courtesy of Flickr.com



Image courtesy of  http://www.decorpad.com/


What I love about this idea is how fabulously affordable and easy this look is to achieve.  I was shopping at Pier 1 awhile back and fell in l-o-v-e with a plate and decided to use that as my inspiration.  So since that day I have been collecting a variety of plates from antique stores, Marshall's, West Elm, wherever.  I plan on arranging the plates to be displayed in my kitchen, but I have seen this idea used in just about every room. 

Image courtesy of  http://www.countryliving.com/

Image courtesy of http://www.designfor4.com/

Image coutesy of  www.gaitainteriors.comblog

 xo - Shana

Friday Finds

So this past week I have been out of commission after having my wisdom teeth removed.  Ouchies!!  My youngest son though keeps inquiring if I'm not as smart as I no longer have my wisdom teeth; bless his little heart. 
So moving right along it's Friday (YAY, I do love me the weekend) which means time to unveil what I have been pining away for this week.  So without further ado ..

Demilune Mirrored Chest - Z Gallerie

Bolsa Vases - Z Gallerie

Steeplechase - Z Gallerie

All items (in case you hadn't noticed) are courtesy of Z Gallerie.  As my luck would have it I do not have a Z Gallerie even remotely near me (wiping my tears) and because my house is half a mile off the road.. delivery is not an option either.  Darn you UPS and FedEx for boycotting my driveway, I would be more than happy to provide food and beverage for delivering my purchases (which I believe is part of your job) .. I'm just saying.  Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend!!

xo - Shana

The Wallpaper Has Arrived

WooHoo .. So... guess who is super excited?!  Me, me, me, me (please hold on while I compose myself).  Seriously I can not believe I am excited over wallpaper, alas it is true.  Yes me, the same person who several years ago was shaking my fist in disdain at the prior homeowner who had the audacity to wallpaper the dining room at house #2 (My family and I currently reside in house #3).  "How could they?!?!" I had wailed while trying to remove the atrocity that is was wallpaper from the walls.  Some members of my family find me to be dramatic, I prefer to think of it as passionate.  So after years of being anti-wallpaper I am slowly beginning to embrace it.  I am all about baby steps so I broke down and ordered enough for an accent wall from my local Sherwin Williams.  That was this past Wednesday and the very helpful saleperson told me it would take at least a week to arrive, so imagine my surprise when I get a phone call letting me know my wallpaper is ready to be picked up.  Cue the happy dance.  I will now leave you with some ideas for wallpaper that I mulled over...

Love the design



I love me some big neutral florals

LOVE it!!

Project Update:
- The stairway has now been painted Rhino, and I think it is SO much better.  It is much lighter and just looks fab-u-lous!

- The railing and banisters are now covered in an ebony stain and look gorg.  It really amazes me how these "little" projects have so much impact on a room.

- The dining room chandelier is now matte black and just waiting to be hung.  Buh bye brass.  The best part of that transformation?  While shopping on-line at Pottery Barn on Saturday I came across the light that I purchased for $20 at a local thrift shore retailing for ... $399.  So pat myself on the back... I used extra paint that I had leftover from a different project and managed to save $379.  Now can we cue the happy dance?

xo - Shana

Friday & Fabulous

It's Friday ... YAY.. although it seems that my weekends are even more hectic if that is at all possible.  Between shuttling the children to numerous birthday parties (we have been averaging two every weekend since January), cleaning the house, running errands, grocery shopping, and finishing up this weeks projects..I'm spent just thinking about it.  


While out and about this past week I've come upon my three latest obsessions.  So without further ado my Friday Fabulousness:




Is she not gorg?!

 I saw this beauty at Pier 1 and have been dreaming about her ever since.  I'm am not happy with the price tag though so I will wait patiently (ha) for this beauty to go on sale. 

Oh Pottery Barn how I love you and more importantly this rug.  If I had my choice of ANYTHING from your wonderful store it would be this rug.  No hesitation, yes please, final answer.

For some reason this lamp pulls at my heartstrings.  Can you just imagine with a silver shade in a geometric print.  SIGH.

Wishing everyone a fabby weekend and I've got my fingers crossed that I will be able to find time to finish all my projects. 

xo - Shana

This post brought to you by the letter "K"

My daughters idea of wall art leaves something to be desired is creative.  You see her bedroom has a little niche where her desk sits that she decided to "decorate".  Bear in mind that she is 11 and did this on her own one afternoon while presumably studying. 

Before .. post-it note art

Cute, interesting .. I've run out of positive ways to spin her art.  So yesterday while trolling through Michael's I stumbled upon a wooden letter "K".  Inspiration struck.. not quite an epiphany but close (no, not really) but anywho.  So what did I do?  Purchased every letter K that was different.  So seven different K's later, grabbed some acrylic paint and headed home.  My kids love nothing more than to paint and craft (although what kids don't) so they got a new project. 

I don't know what happened to the 7th "K"

While I briefly left the kids to paint and also under strict instructions not to paint the table, dog, each other etc. I pulled out some white empty frames and scrap book paper.  Side note.. I don't scrapbook but if I find an interesting paper while out and about I've been known to snag it.  I have no logical explanation other than you never know when you might need a funky sheet of paper, so back to "K's" room.

white frames and scrap book paper

Ohhh my kids even got creative, they put polka dots on one, shadowing paint on another and even tried zebra stripes on a third.  I was even more thrilled to discover that the paint only managed to spread to the fingers.  Got to love relatively mess free projects!!  So after everything dried I broke out my handy-dandy 3M adhesive strips and went to town sticking K's to the wall.

After

I love this project for its ease and next to no cost, also the K's are something we can continue and expand upon in the future.  Or until she decides she tired of that and ready for something else.  I apologize for the pink glow, however the two lamps in her room have pink shades so everything always looks rosy in her room.

xo - Shana

PS.. The dots on her ceiling are glitter, before we moved in I jazzed it up